NorthLink is to continue its programme of support for communities in the Northern Isles with a further investment of £50,000 in free travel and discounted fares over the next six months.

The NorthLink sponsorship programme is designed to support individuals, local charities, sporting groups and athletes in Orkney and Shetland.

This latest tranche of sponsorship cash takes the total invested by the company since 2002 to more than £470,000. The sponsorship programme is compiled on a six-monthly basis and applications for the next round of sponsorships should be made to the company in March next year.

Elaine Tulloch, NorthLink marketing manager, said: “We continue to provide a high quality ferry service to and from Orkney and Shetland but we are also fully committed to playing an active part within the local communities.

“The NorthLink sponsorship programme continues to be immensely popular. We receive scores of applications in the course of a year.  We contribute extensively to charity work and we feel that the variety of individuals and causes that we support continues to enrich the islands’ social, cultural and sporting life.

“Again this year, we have decided to bring a number of additional groups and individuals into the programme and we are delighted to welcome them and looking forward to watching them bring success to the Northern Isles,” she said.

Young sports stars 50% discounted travel programme:

• Claire Wilson of Sanday and Christine Jamieson of Lerwick are introduced to the programme. Both have been chosen to represent Scotland in the Under-17 Netball Squad.

Continuing support is provided for:

• Sisters Terri and Kelly Reid, from Cruan Riding School. Joining them this year is brother Jack, to attend equestrian competitions.
• Rebecca and Matthew Reid, from Kirkwall, both attend Highland District badminton training and competitions.
• Jack Rendall, from Kirkwall, who plays for the Highland Division Under-16 Hockey Squad for boys.
• Shaun Raeburn, who swims for the North District Swimming Squad.
• Roy Wood, from Lerwick, to attend the Scottish Schools Badminton Union Under 14 competitions.

Young Shetland musicians 50% discounted travel programme:

• Arran Hunter to attend the National Piping Centre in Glasgow.
• Mary Rutherford to attend the National Youth Orchestra of Scotland.

Other participants:

• The Orkney Traditional Music Project will receive discounted travel rates to allow them to bring visiting accordion and fiddle tutors to Orkney.
• Events receiving discounted travel for participants attending from South are: the Orkney and Shetland Folk Festivals, the St Magnus Festival, the Simmer Dim Rally and the Shetland Classic Motor Show.
• Free travel has been awarded to Shetland charities Dogs Against Drugs and Shetland Aid Trust. Dogs Against Drugs has been awarded free travel to allow them to attend training which is unavailable on the Islands; and Shetland Aid Trust for its annual humanitarian trip to Albania.
• Various other local groups from Orkney and Shetland supported by NorthLink include - Orkney Riding Club; West Mainland Pony Club; Orkney Pony Club; the Orkney Squash Club; Splinters Youth Theatre; Shetland Country Music Club; Dogs Against Drugs and Shetland Aid Trust.
• NorthLink continues to support the Orkney and Shetland 1st XV rugby teams.
• Over 15 travel vouchers have been donated to local charities and groups including Palace Players, Hamnavoe Carers, Orkney Badminton Association, Orkney Blide Trust, Shetland Amateur Athletics and Age Concern Shetland.